By Jessica Rose

Hamilton’s annual literary festival, gritLIT, is on the move. Once confined to the downtown core, this year’s festival is expanding, welcoming some of the country’s best authors not only to central Hamilton but also to Mohawk College, Dundas and Burlington.

Now in its sixth year, gritLIT combines poetry, fiction, and non-fiction readings with workshops for both aspiring and seasoned writers. It will take place between April 8 and 11, acting as an opportunity for local authors to share the stage with some of the most talked-about talent from coast to coast.

“Hamilton has one of the most welcoming literary communities I’ve ever encountered,” says Noelle Allen, chair of this year’s gritLIT committee. “Authors here support each other, encourage each other and come out to all literary events.”

Among the local talent celebrated at this year’s festival will be Book of Negroes author, Lawrence Hill, Sky Gilbert, Chris Pannell, Stephen Brunt and James E. Elliott, to name only a few.

Bookending the festival will be two award-winning authors who have garnered national praise, beginning with David Zieroth, winner of the 2009 Governor General Award for Poetry, and closing with A.F. Moritz, Canadian winner of the 2009 Griffin Poetry Prize. Other visiting talent will include French-Canadian author Monique Proulx, Shani Mootoo and Colin McAdam

gritLIT isn’t only a spectator sport — aspiring writers are urged to get involved by attending a number of workshops. Vancouver’s Jenn Farrell, author of The Devil You Know, will facilitate a short story workshop, and A.F. Moritz will present a poetry master class workshop. The next generation of writers is encouraged to join in as well, as gritLIT presents a writing workshop for young adults in conjunction with the Burlington Public Library.

“We have an amazing number of authors living here, and we’re attracting more every day,” says Allen. “This is a great city to be a writer in,” she adds.

Individual events cost $5 and tickets can be purchased at the door. Festival passes, costing $20 each, cover all events except workshops and master classes, and they can be purchased at Bryan Prince, Bookseller in Westdale or Mixed Media.

Feed the Festival, March 11 - Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne Street

Support the upcoming gritLIT Festival by attending a night of good food, live music and readings by: Krista Foss, Ross Pennie, Marilyn Gear Pilling and John Terpstra. Tickets are $10. One lucky individual will win a copy of every book presented at the 2010 gritLIT festival. Doors open at 7pm and readings begin at 7:30pm. For more information on the event, visit: www.gritlit.ca or contact gritlit@gritlit.ca.